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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1877)
nwkf in Tin: Uxkxowx Hi:tns, on Tun Coxtkhtki) Ixhkiutaxi!!-:. .1 IHSl Mr. Gnrnelt, of western Moullonborough. Ho Uvea about thnsu nillcs from here," Mild John. "Anil I am Mr. lliugham," slowly spoke the old man. " I remember seeing you there this morning. And, now, how about thai fellow there? 1 would not wish him to be badly hurt." "1 will see," said John. His antagonist was now slowly raising himself, but as John approached he took to his heels and soon disappeared in the darkness. "lie could not have been- much hurl," said John, "as he has run olV. He will make good his escape, I fear, but we can do nothing to prevent it. And now had I nol better drive with you back to the v-ll. )ago" "Yes. thai will be best," said Mr. lien, net. They entered tho carriage, and John drove rapidly to Mr. Garnett's. They talked in the meantime of the circum. stances of the assauli. "It was very providential that you hap ponod along as you did," remarked Mr. lienuet, when thev were well under ray. " Yes, it was," declared John. "Mr, Garnett's cows slraied oil', and it took mi ll long time to lind them. They were in these woods. I hear their bells now, and I think they will go home without further driving." The carriage soon drew up in front of Mr. G,arnetl's residence, and John, with great solicitude, helped the old man to get out of the vehicle. The latter per son's opinion of his grandson had been greatly shaken by the events of the even, ing, and as he left him for the night he requested a private talk with him in the morning. The schemer could hardly re- press his exultation as he promised to grant it. Tho old man passed the night with Mr. Garnelt, and before he left the next morning sought his grandson, whom he found in the yard. He had in the mean time still further considered the matter. "Daniel," said Mr. Ilennul, as he ap. proached his worthy grandson, "I wish to say a few words to you before I leave. I would like to have you tell mo aboulyour past life, and if you desire it, I will hold ! what you say n strictly confidential with ' regard to the people here. I ask this of you because 1 amy be able to toll you something of importance to you." "I will tell you," said John softly as ho straightened out his features; "and al though it i, not pleasant for me to look back upon, 1 ought nol to fear to tell the story to you. I have never told it to any one here, and perhaps it would be best if you would nol tell it either. I am trying to be as good a man as 1 can, but, as you know, if a whisper of evil gets abroad il is hard to overcome." "I will not tell it, then," said Mr. lien net. They sat down upon a log, and the schemer told the old man an artfully com. posed story of his life, of how he hud be come an orphan and having no friends had drifted into bad company, of how he had many times tried to reform, but everything suemlng against him, lie had as often sunk still deeper than before; and of how he had made a final and success ful attempt by breaking away from his old companions. This false story had its desired etVeut. "I beliyve that he is sincere," thought the hoodwinked old man. "1 must take him in charge. It would he wicked in me nol to do so." Then aloud, he asked, "Have you any relations!" " I suppose so, but person-lily I know nothing of them. I remember hearing my mother speak of my grandfather my father's father. Ho treated my father bad ly she said. At any rate, I think there must have been a disagreement between them, for mother had nothing to do with him that I know of. I never saw him my self, and do not know where he lives." X. Y.Z. ( (to be continued.)
